The most important assessment points for university admission in Australia can be summarized as follows:
Final Academic Record (ATAR/GPA)
The most important and direct assessment indicator is the score calculated based on the final grades in high school.
- ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank):
- This is not a score but a rank. While calculation methods vary by state and territory, it is a percentile ranking that indicates a candidate’s relative position among all high school graduates hoping to enter university (e.g., an ATAR of 90.00 would be in the top 10%).
- Calculation of the ATAR typically takes into account both final-year school performance (classroom attitude, assignments, tests, etc.) and performance in state-administered graduation/final examinations. In some states, school performance accounts for approximately 50%.
* In other words, daily study accumulation directly affects ATAR, and this ATAR score (rank) is the admission standard for each university and major.
Other Important Evaluation Factors
- Performance in Specific Subjects: Depending on the university faculty and major you are applying to, particular emphasis may be placed on performance in specific related high school subjects, such as mathematics, science, or art.
- Portfolio and performance: For arts and music majors, in addition to the above, the submission of work (portfolio) and practical skills (performance)** are also included in the assessment.
As such, when it comes to university admission in Australia, “overall academic performance throughout high school (ATAR/GPA) and official English proficiency score” are major keys to success, and in particular, daily participation in classes and assignments is continuously evaluated in the process of calculating ATAR.
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Q: Thank you. I understand. My family and I live in Brisbane. Are there any unique circumstances in Queensland?
A: Since you live in Brisbane, I’ll answer your question about Queensland’s (QLD) unique university admissions system.
In 2020, QLD abolished the previous OP (Overall Position) system and introduced the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) system, as with other Australian states. This transition established a unique assessment and examination system for QLD.
Key Assessment Points Unique to QLD: Balancing QCE and Assessment
Admission to university in QLD requires first obtaining a high school graduation qualification called the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). An ATAR is then calculated.
- Composition of Final Grades (Internal Assessment and External Examination)
In QLD, final grades that affect university admissions are calculated by combining the following two assessments: This is key to balancing the assessment of daily learning with final exam results.
● Internal Assessment:
○ Accounts for 75% of Year 12 grades (with some exceptions).
○ This is the result of daily learning, such as assignments, exams, and performances conducted within the school.
○ Moderation by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) is conducted to balance out variations in assessments between schools.
● External Assessment:
○ Accounts for 25% of Year 12 grades (with some exceptions).
○ This is the result of a state-wide final exam designed and administered by the QCAA.
○ The results of this external exam play a key role in determining final internal assessment scores.
○ In some subjects, such as mathematics and science, external exams can weigh as much as 50%. - How ATARs are Calculated
ATARs are calculated based on final grades, combining the above internal and external assessments.
● Obtaining Foundation Qualifications (QCEs): To calculate an ATAR, students must first obtain QCEs.
● ATAR Contribution: The final grades for a student’s top five general subjects (or an equivalent combination) are used for university applications. - Most Important Assessment Points (Summary)
In the Queensland system, the two most important assessment points when looking at a student’s 12 years of learning are:
● Continuous Effort and Achievement (Internal Assessment): Since the majority (75%) of grades are determined by daily learning attitudes and the quality of assignments within the school, sustained high performance throughout Year 12 is essential.
● Ability to Prepare for State Standardized Exams (External Exams): These account for 25% of the final grade and influence the moderation of internal assessments, so the ability to perform reliably in the final standardized exams is also extremely important. In short, the Queensland ATAR system requires high levels of effort in class and concentration in the final exam.